How to Make a Career Change at 30 without Experience

Making a career change can seem overwhelming. But, it’s becoming more common to switch careers at any age. Why? More jobs than ever before need little experience or little training. Thanks to a growing demand in many industries, more vacancies are opening up for people who don’t necessarily have a background in the industry.

If you want to make a career change at 30, or later, don’t be afraid to take the plunge. Switching a career at 30 doesn’t have to be as intimidating as you might think. It all depends on the type of job that interests you.

One of the first things you should look into is the most secure jobs for the future. Don’t make the mistake of getting into a dying industry. Once you’re sure of your job security, though, the sky is indeed the limit when it comes to your job opportunities.

Because so many new jobs are being created all the time, and technology continues to advance us forward, it’s not uncommon to make a career change with no experience. There are also ways to train for a career in under one year. But, it’s important to know how to do it the right way. With the right resources, you can find a fulfilling and successful career at almost any age.

How to Start a New Career with No Experience

This guide will cover some of the best career change ideas for people who are over 30. Believe it or not, some careers might be even better for you to start later. By focusing on the best careers to begin at 30 years old, you can make the most of your job going forward.

Having no experience in a certain industry doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find a job there. You could be a teacher who wants to switch career. If you have a passion for a specific career path, you still may be able to get a job doing what you love. We’ll focus on several different industries and jobs that take little to no training or experience. A new career at 30 with no degree may be easier to achieve than you think.

Should You Make a Career Shift?

First, think about why you want to make a career change in the first place. A change at 30 is often called a ‘midlife career change.’ People get into these job shifts for a variety of reasons. But, those reasons can be different for everyone. There are important factors to consider, like whether you should quit your current job before starting a new one.

Other questions to ask yourself before making a switch might include:

Do you feel worn out or emotionally exhausted in your current career?

How would you feel about doing your current job for the rest of your life?

Are you not making enough money?

Is the money worth it if you’re miserable with the job itself?

Do you feel your talents could be better used elsewhere?

Once you’ve decided you actually want to switch careers, it’s time to decide which path will be the best for you to move forward.

Computer Technician

Do you have a passion for working with computers? You might want to consider a career in information technology. This industry makes a great second career for anyone interested in the tech field. In this industry, you can either work for an organized IT department or independently.

A computer technician takes care of any hardware and software issues that may come up. An associate’s degree in the field is usually all that’s required to get hired by an IT company. It’s a popular job because of how important computers are becoming in the business world.

It’s your responsibility as a computer tech to make sure the entire IT department of a business runs smoothly. This is true whether you work specifically for one company, or have many clients. Even though minimal schooling is required, you’ll have to keep up with the changing trends in technology. Advancements are being made all the time. This is a career that will need regular training to make sure you can take care of current issues.

Dental Assistant

You may notice that quite a few of the jobs on this list are in the medical field. This is because it’s a booming industry that continues to experience more growth than almost any other field. Becoming a dental assistant is a great job opportunity for someone who wants to work with people.

To become a dental assistant, only an associate’s degree is required, along with some more training. If you already have an associate’s degree, the training required is minimal. A dental assistant’s duties include preparing patients for procedures, and assisting the dentist as needed.

If you love interacting with different people on a daily basis, this is a unique way to get into the medical field. Dental hygiene isn’t for everyone, and you may have to have a sensitive personality. It can be challenging to work with patients who have issues with their teeth, as it causes pain and embarrassment. But, if you’re looking for a job that requires both compassion and attention to detail, this is it! Plus, you’ll be helping people achieve beautiful smiles.

Personal Trainer

If you have a passion for fitness, consider working as a personal trainer. You can either get hired by a gym or choose to work for yourself and gather clients. A personal trainer designs exercise plans, meal plans, and creates fitness goals for their clients.

Becoming a personal trainer is a lot easier than it used to be, thanks to advancements in technology. You don’t need a formal degree, or even to attend college. In fact, there are personal trainer certification programs you can complete online. As long as you’re certified, you shouldn’t have a problem getting hired by a quality fitness facility. Or, you can choose to market yourself as a freelance trainer and work whenever you want.

Being a trainer is about more than just being fit yourself. It’s necessary to help your clients stay motivated. Think about how your personality would fit into this job before taking the plunge.

Phlebotomist

Another popular healthcare position to consider is training to become a phlebotomist. Phlebotomy is a fast-growing part of the healthcare field. As the baby boomer generation gets older, more phlebotomists are needed across the country. Phlebotomists draw blood from patients and transport them to a lab for various tests.

Hospitals, clinics, and private practices often hire phlebotomists. But, because there is such a growing need, you can have success as a traveling phlebotomist, too. Phlebotomists are needed for more than just hospitals.

The following organizations and facilities often need someone to draw blood on a regular basis:

If you like working with different people every day and don’t mind dealing with blood, this is a great job opportunity. It can sometimes take less than a year of training to become a certified phlebotomist. Because it’s such a popular job, you can usually count on a flexible schedule, too.

Surgical Technologist

This job may sound like it has a fancy title. But, it only takes a two-year training program or associate’s degree to become a surgical tech. Don’t let the name fool you. Surgical technicians don’t have to perform any surgery.

Instead, this is a behind the scenes healthcare job. Surgical techs help to prepare patients for surgery. They also prepare the surgical rooms to make sure the surgeon and staff have everything they need. They also make sure the instruments being used are sterilized. In some cases, they may have to hand these instruments to the surgeon. So, while a surgical tech doesn’t perform any part of the surgery, they do play a key role in its success.

Even though it doesn’t take years of training, the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that a surgical tech makes over $44,000 each year. Because you get to be in the exam room while surgery is being performed, this is a great way to be an active part of the healthcare industry without having to go to school for years. If you’re squeamish or don’t like working with different people, this may not be the job for you. But, it’s a great way to get your foot in the door for a medical job.

Social Media Manager

Do you consider yourself to be a social media guru? You can turn your passion into a successful career as a social media manager. This is a career path that used to be reserved for those who spent years getting a marketing degree. Some larger companies may still need that type of schooling.

But, more companies are accepting people with experience and credit from a certification program. There are many online courses you can take to learn about any social media platforms you may not know. As a social media manager, you’ll need to be savvy with things like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. You should also have a basic knowledge of graphic design. Knowing PhotoShop will be a plus.

The best part of this position is that it isn’t limited to just one industry. Almost every type of business can use a social media presence. If you’re a master of the digital world, you should be able to put your skills to good use at any age.

Diagnostic Sonographer

If you’re interested in a healthcare career but don’t want to deal with blood, consider becoming a diagnostic sonographer. As a sonographer, your job is to handle special medical equipment. This equipment uses sound waves to create images.

You will then give these images to your patient’s physician to diagnose their condition. This is a job that pays reasonably well at about $63,000 per year. It also only requires an associate’s degree or certification.

This is another great behind the scenes medical career. By taking images of a patient and sending them to their doctor, you could be helping them get rid of the pain. You could even save lives on a daily basis by catching something with your images that wouldn’t otherwise be seen.

Freelancing

Technology has made it easier than ever to follow your passions, whatever they may be. Many people have left careers or made a switch because they want to try something new. There are so many options for freelancing. Most of them follow a creative path. If you’ve felt as though your previous career left you in a rut, freelancing has many benefits.

Not only will you get to be your own boss and set your hours, but you’ll get to do something you love. Of course, it has its risks. You’ll need to work to build up a client base to make money. But, if you’re able to do that, freelancing can be a lucrative career path. Some of the most common jobs for freelancers include:

Photography

Creative writing

Graphic design

Data entry

Virtual assistant

As a freelancer, there is no formal education required. Some clients may be more eager to hire you if you have a certification in your field. But, experience and quality often trump a degree for a freelance worker.

Registered Nurse

It’s easy to think that becoming a nurse requires years of medical training. You might be surprised to find that you can become an RN by getting an associate degree in nursing. In most cases, it takes just a couple years!

Nursing is one of the fastest-growing jobs in the healthcare industry, and one of the most popular. The role of an RN varies depending on where they work. But, you can expect to do things like giving medication to patients, monitoring their progress, and educating them. The job of a nurse is to do whatever is needed for that particular doctor or facility.

This can be an incredibly rewarding job. You get to work with a wide variety of different people each day. Plus, patients are directly in your care so that you could be making a big difference in their general health. Nursing, like phlebotomy, is a great career option for almost any age. As long as you don’t mind being on your feet and are ready to deal with different types of people, this is a job with a lot of stability for the future.

Massage Therapist

Becoming a massage therapist means you can work for a facility, or work from home. It takes the certification to become a licensed massage therapist, but the training doesn’t take long to complete. A massage therapist does a variety of different things for their patients.

With your skills as a massage therapist, you can do everything from lower stress for your patients, to help them recover from injuries. If you choose to work from home or start your own business, building up a clientele can be difficult at first. But, many people are looking for qualified massage therapists. Depending on your location, you could build up a client base quickly.

Becoming a massage therapist is an excellent career choice for people who are 30 or older. This is especially true when you can set your own schedule and choose your clients. If you’re looking for a career switch that can be just as relaxing for you as it will be for your patients, this should be a strong consideration.

Should I Make a Career Change at 30+?

Going into any career with no experience might not seem wise at first. But, as stated above, it’s becoming more common than ever. One of the biggest reasons for that is because people are working later into their lives. The idea that you can retire when you’re 65 isn’t always true anymore. So, it’s important to not only choose a career you like but one you can see yourself in for years to come.

If you’re not feeling fulfilled in your current career, making a switch at 30 shouldn’t be a problem. That leaves you with at least 35 more years of work ahead of you. It’s also more practical to make a switch at 30, rather than 40 or 50 because most people have fewer responsibilities the younger they are. The older we get, the more others tend to depend on us (spouses, children, etc.). Making a switch when you’re younger will give you time to establish a firm career before you settle down.

Many careers are suitable for any age. But, if you’re only 30 and considering a change, it should be a positive one. First, consider why you want to switch careers in the first place. Then, determine if your new career choice will please you for years to come.

Any of the careers listed in this guide can be fulfilling for someone looking to make a change. They all take little schooling or training. They also offer generous salaries. Explore these occupations openly.

I'm Lou, and welcome to Phlebotomy Examiner! We aim to help you make a more informed career choice by sharing our research and experience with you. You'll find in-depth advice on everything from career options to dealing with work issues.